A Georgian-style mansion perched on the edge of ancient woodland could be flattened to make way for a 100-home estate.

Six-bedroom Milton Manor House in Thanington, Canterbury, boasts a billiards room, library and formal gardens and sits at the end of a tree-lined driveway that stretches the length of two-and-a-half football pitches.

However, developer CHH Building Solutions has this week unveiled plans to bulldoze the picturesque building and to fill parts of the plot with dozens of homes.

The site will add to the 1,150 properties already earmarked for land nearby - sparking fears it will create yet more congestion into the city.

Wincheap councillor Derek Maslin told KentOnline: “There is going to be more disruption, you can’t deny it.

"There’s going to be more traffic in the short and the long term from people living in the 100 homes going to and from Canterbury.

"It’s a beautiful building, I would have like it if they could have incorporated it into the design."

The developers of both the 400-home Cockering Farm and 750-home Saxon Fields schemes close by are currently constructing their estates.

Cllr Maslin believes it is "unfortunate" the 5,300 sq ft manor house is being primed for demolition, noting "the truth is we only appreciate these things when they’re gone”.

Marketing material recently produced by estate agency Knight Frank says the "elegant Georgian-style" property was constructed in 1958 and that its kitchen was fitted "by the highly renowned Clive Christian".

Papers penned by CHH Building Solutions show the new homes will mainly be located either side of the current tree-lined driveway, which is almost 300 metres long.

James Waterhouse, who is consulting on the project, said: "For a scheme of this size, construction normally takes about two years.

"But we are still in the early stages - we hope to submit a full application in a month or two."

Documents also reveal the house-builder intends on retaining the ancient woodland on the plot, as it pledges to "protect" and preserve the areas as part of the development.

A new route is proposed for the 20-acre site as part of the scheme, connecting the estate - which will boast 175 parking spaces - to the A28 Ashford Road.

Bosses from CHH Building Solutions insist the project's "modest" size will mean it will not have a significant impact on the road network.

"Dust from demolition and building work and emissions from construction vehicles are likely to be generated," CHH Building Solutions papers add.

"This may lead to some localised temporary effects, like disruption on the roads and noise.

"The level of demolition and construction traffic is likely to be short term, and considering the modest scale of the development, there is not expected to be significant effects when compared to existing traffic flows on highways.

"The development will be sensitively designed to provide high-quality buildings that complement and reflect the existing architecture of the adjoining Cockering Farm plot, as well as Canterbury.

"The ancient woodland will be retained and protected as part of the proposed scheme."